What are QR codes?
A QR code
QR codes or Quick Response codes, are two-dimensional, square bar codes that allow data to be stored in a matrix of black and white pixels. They are particularly useful for accessing data and information with a camera phone. Originally developed in 1994 by Denso Wave–a Japanese auto component manufacturer–QR codes have found widespread acceptance in Japan. QR codes are also being implemented in European, North American, and Australian markets due to better phone technology and increased availability of affordable mobile data plans.
How do QR codes work?
In a typical application of the technology, the QR code data is accessed through a mobile phone. The user takes a photo of the code, which is decoded by a program on the phone. QR codes can store URL’s, phone numbers, contact information–basically any text data (with a limit of 4,296 alphanumeric characters). Once the QR code has been successfully read, the program can direct the user based upon the information type: take the user to a website, call a phone number, load a contact into the user’s address book, and so forth.
To illustrate, imagine you are at a bus stop and you see a poster for a political candidate. You’d like to find out more about this politician’s views; fortunately, there is a small QR code printed onto the poster. You pull out your camera-phone, open your QR code reading program, and take a photo of the code. After capturing the code, you are redirected to the candidates’ website, where you can read up on their policy stances while you wait for that bus.
In order to read a code, you will need a mobile device with a camera and software to read the QR code. You will also need some sort of data-plan if the code contains a web URL. Software is becoming more ubiquitous, although there are still many phones in the US that are still unable to decode QR codes.
Application of QR Codes
QR codes have typically been used in advertising but have many applications, not to mention many compelling potential uses.
Examples include:
- Print advertising (newspapers, magazines, mailers, posters, etc.)
- Business cards (embedding contact information)
- Mobile payment systems
- Mobile ticketing systems
- Coupons
- Tagging of pretty much anything
Competing 2D code Formats
Although QR codes have achieved a high-degree of mainstream recognition, there are several other formats of 2D codes, which are currently in use.
- DataMatrix - these codes are used primarily for tagging/labeling objects including letters, shipping labels, and aerospace parts.
- SemaCode - codes created by a company of the same name. They are specifically targetted at the mobile phone and claim to have an open system with no restrictions placed on code generation.
- EZCode - a closed format created by ETH Zurich, specifically for mobile phones
Unfortunately, there is not yet a defacto standard for 2D barcodes in consumer-facing applications. Although QR codes have enjoined significant success in Japan, only time will tell if it will come out on top of competing standards.
Summary
QR codes sit at the barrier between digital media and the physical world; they serve to connect both together. As better phones come out and more consumers use mobile devices to access the internet, the US will be a prime market for integration in many different mediums.